To this point all other recorded cases of sexual transmissions of the mosquito-borne virus have been from men to their sexual partners. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first known case of a woman spreading the Zika virus to a man during unprotected sex was reported on Friday in New York City.
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Zika is more frequently transmitted by mosquito bites. But infection during pregnancy can lead to severe brain-related birth defects for the fetus.
Research into the exact risks posed by maternal Zika infection is ongoing, according to health officials. It has likely been happening throughout the recent Zika outbreaks in Brazil, Latin America and elsewhere, though experts say it is probably not very common. Male partners of pregnant women should consider the possibility that they could infect their partners via sex if they become infected. The next day, she came down with Zika-like symptoms, including fever, rash, fatigue and muscle pain, along with numbness and tingling in her fingers and toes.
In the face of the growing reality of sexual transmission of Zika, U.N. health officials issued updated guidelines earlier this year aimed at helping prevent infection.
On day seven after intercourse, her male partner, also in his 20s, began to show the same typical signs of Zika, such as fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes, despite the fact that he had not traveled outside the United States for more than a year.
After the woman developed Zika symptoms, she went to her doctor. Although no cases of woman-to-woman Zika transmission have been reported, these recommendations now also apply to female sex partners of pregnant women. Both were positive for Zika. However, in a Senate hearing on Wednesday, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said it is plausible that such transmissions have already occurred and not been detected. He confirmed a single encounter of unprotected sex with the woman. Tests showed she was infected with the Zika virus. People who live in the continental United States are also contracting Zika, mostly due to travel.
In light of this report, the CDC is recommending that all pregnant women use a barrier method during sex, and the agency is now updating its recommendations for sexually active couples who are not pregnant and not planning on getting pregnant.
No woman-to-woman sexual transmission had been reported to date.
Most people who get infected with Zika do not get sick, or they develop only a relatively mild illness.
“Using the products in the Zika prevention kit can help protect you and your loved ones from the virus”, said Department of Health Secretary Karen Murphy in a statement.
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The male partner told the city’s health department that he had not traveled outside the U.S.in the 12 months prior to his infection, or received a mosquito bite in the week preceding.
